Seeing that Shen Xingbai insisted, Old Master Nalan sighed. “Since I already promised, I’ll pay for this piece on your behalf.”
Shen Xingbai didn’t refuse and replied with a smile, “Since you’re being so generous, I’ll accept it. But as a junior, I’ll give you a return gift later.”
“You’re too polite. I already promised you—how could I accept a return gift?” Old Master Nalan laughed. He didn’t think much of it. As a giant in the jade world, he had seen countless treasures; he wasn’t expecting anything special.
Shen Xingbai said nothing more. The “gift” he planned to give would actually save the Nalan family’s fate.
“Next comes the moment everyone has been waiting for!”
With a flourish, the hostess lifted the red cloth.
Underneath was a massive rough stone—Mu Na Bayberry Skin. It was extremely rare on the market with very limited supply. The auction house presenting such a large piece showed they had paid a huge price for it.
“It’s actually Mu Na Bayberry Skin!”
“That’s incredibly rare! We really came to the right auction!”
“Exactly! Even if I don’t win anything today, just seeing such a large piece is worth it!”
The crowd buzzed with excitement.
Old Master Nalan immediately sat upright, no longer relaxed. The top tycoons of the jade world all stared seriously at the stone.
Seeing everyone captivated, the hostess didn’t waste time. She announced the starting price: 1 billion, with a minimum raise of 10 million.
No one thought the price was high—if anything, they felt it was justified.
In just a short time, the bidding soared to 10 billion—and that was before the major tycoons had even fully joined in.
Boss Zhou raised his paddle first. “10.3 billion!”
Boss Bai followed. “10.5 billion!”
Old Master Nalan lifted his paddle. “11 billion!”
Boss Zhou and Boss Bai exchanged glances and continued competing.
Old Master Nalan was about to bid again when Shen Xingbai stopped him.
Old Master Nalan looked puzzled. “Kid Shen, why?”
“Do you trust me?”
Old Master Nalan laughed loudly. “You’re someone I value highly. Of course I trust you.”
He believed in Shen Xingbai’s ability. Identifying jade wasn’t based on luck, and every stone Shen Xingbai had opened contained jade. He admired such talent.
“Since you trust me, we shouldn’t bid for this stone,” Shen Xingbai said calmly.
“Kid Shen, this isn’t something to joke about,” Old Master Nalan replied seriously.
A top-quality rough stone could lay the foundation for a family’s future. Even the Nalan family—ranked first in the jade world—would fight for good material.
Shen Xingbai looked at him firmly. “Trust me. Don’t bid.”
Old Master Nalan fell silent, staring into Shen Xingbai’s golden eyes. They seemed mysterious and dazzling, as if pulling him into a strange and unfathomable world.
In that brief moment of hesitation, the stone was sold—to Boss Bai.
Old Master Nalan grew anxious and frustrated. How had he been distracted by Shen Xingbai’s gaze and missed the chance?
“Sigh… it seems this piece simply wasn’t meant for me.”
But in truth, in the previous life, he had won this stone—and it led to the downfall of the Nalan family.
Boss Bai was overjoyed. Old Master Nalan hadn’t competed with him. He thought he wouldn’t be able to win, yet it ended up in his hands.
Boss Zhou, seeing Boss Bai grinning from ear to ear, darkened with displeasure.